Abstract

Course books are the most important teaching and learning materials. In English language course books for primary school students, simulation and illustrations should occupy a prominent place in teaching and learning processes. This qualitative study aims to investigate the effect of illustrations and simulation in English Course Books in a Kazakhstani context on primary school students' English language achievement by means of self-developed teaching aids (“Dictionary in pictures for primary school”, “Grammar in pictures for primary school”, “Alphabet and spelling in pictures for primary school”). The literature review showed that simulation and illustrations play a role in primary school students’ perceptions of classroom activities (i.e., motivation, interest, challenge and joy). It was also hypothesized that simulation and illustrations affect English language achievement. To do so, the study utilized an experimental design consisting of 116 participants (58 students in the control group and 58 students in the experimental group). The results demonstrated the positive role of simulation and illustrations in students’ language achievement. An interview was also held with a number of English language teachers to investigate their attitude towards self- developed teaching aids.